JAMSHEDPUR: Activists fighting for constitutional recognition of Ho, a language spoken by different tribal groups spread over Jharkhand , West Bengal and Odisha, on Wednesday blocked railway tracks at several places in the state's Kolhan region. They were demanding that the Centre included their language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.Officials here said movement of many passenger and goods trains was disrupted for more than two hours. Six long-distance trains hit by the protests were Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express, Tatanagar-Howrah Steel Express, Ranchi-Howrah Intercity, Howrah-Barbil Janshatabdi Express and Alappuza-Tatanagar Express. Besides, several goods trains were also stopped at various locations.The agitators began to block the tracks around 4 in the morning and continued it till noon. Justifying the rail roko agitation, Sura Biruli, secretary of All India Ho Language Action Committee (AIHLAC), said, "We decided to organise today's rail roko campaign after we didn't hear anything from the Centre about its decision on the Ho language. Earlier, many Union leaders had assured of a response from Delhi in this regard." Reports said adivasi groups organised a similar blockade in parts of Odisha, which shares a long border with Jharkhand.The officials said groups of protesters squatted on the railway tracks at a number of stations, including Salgajhari, Ghatshila, Barabamo, Chakradharpur, Chaibasa and Noamundi. Disruption in the movement of trains caused hardships to passengers.

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